Weather Watch: "Snow Drought" Relief for Addison County?

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Posted on January 12, 2012 | Blog Category:

Over the last two months, most of the United States and southern Canada have been locked into a “snow drought”, but for parts of Vermont, at least, some significant snow may be on the way.

Snow has been hard to come by this winter in East Middlebury, and it seems that each time we pick up an inch or two, a thaw or rainstorm comes along and melts it. The seasonably cold temperatures and lack of snow have meant ice, and lots of it, and the icy rivers and streams seem out of place flowing through the snowless forests. The lack of snow cover has also led to solidly frozen ground, which could translate into a soggy mud season this spring.

The lack of snow in Vermont has been hard on snow lovers, especially those who depend on snow sports to make a living. Not everyone is disappointed by the winter, however - a friend who works for Central Vermont Public Service has told me that the thus-far mild winter has been very helpful for finishing up repairs from Irene’s devastation last summer.

Snow is finally in the forecast for Vermont with a two-part storm moving into the state. Today’s storm will feature easterly winds and tomorrow’s storm will feature northwesterly winds, so both slopes of the Green Mountains should pick up similar totals - perhaps 8 or 10 inches - by the weekend. In the Champlain Valley, sleet and rain mixing with the snow may limit total accumulation to a couple of inches. More seasonable weather with occasional snow is in the long-range forecast, so there is a good chance that I will finally get to try out my new cross country skis next week (though Breadloaf may be a better bet than the Middlebury golf course). As for the rest of the winter, there are some indications that the positive Arctic Oscillation pattern may wind down, but it is too early to say for sure. There is still a chance for my forecast of above average snow to come true this winter, but at this point it is not looking likely. Maybe I should have stuck with looking at the woolly bears.